Camping in Iceland

Camping in Iceland can provide a great sense of freedom however, if you are ill prepared or encounter bad weather you can potentially spoil your trip.

Camping in Iceland is heavily weather dependent

Due to the cold climate this is not the place to try camping for the first time

Don’t skip out on any of the recommended equipment

You may have to modify your current camping set up to accommodate for differences example: hammock camping is nearly impossible as there are relatively few trees in Iceland

Practice using all of your equipment before you arrive in Iceland, an unfamiliar tent can be difficult to set up in weather that you are not familiar with

SUMMER is the most accessible camping season but keep the following in mind:

With almost 24 hours of daylight in the summer you may wish to bring a sleeping mask to ensure a proper night’s rest

Summer does not necessarily ensure good weather, rain is very common in the summer

Very strong winds are commonplace all year round in Iceland

Campfires are not permitted in Iceland

See specialized packing lists to see which is best suited to your travel plan

As seen in this video, some terrain in Iceland (such as volcanic ash) can make it difficult to pitch a tent properly with all the necessary extra lines. That paired with incredibly strong winds can at best leave you with a horrible night’s rest and at worst ruin your tent and leave you vulnerable to the elements.

The following are some essentials for safe and comfortable WINTER camping in Iceland: